What is Sarecycline: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Sarecycline is a prescription antibiotic specifically designed to treat moderate to severe acne in people 9 years and older. It belongs to a family of antibiotics called tetracyclines, which work by stopping bacteria from growing and multiplying on your skin.

Unlike many other acne treatments, sarecycline is taken once daily and tends to cause fewer stomach problems than older tetracycline antibiotics. This makes it a gentler option for many people dealing with persistent acne that hasn't responded well to topical treatments alone.

What is Sarecycline Used For?

Sarecycline is primarily used to treat inflammatory acne vulgaris in patients 9 years and older. This means it targets the red, swollen pimples and cysts that develop when bacteria get trapped in your pores and cause infection.

Your doctor might prescribe sarecycline when over-the-counter acne treatments or topical prescription medications haven't been effective enough. It's particularly helpful for moderate to severe acne that covers larger areas of your face, chest, or back.

The medication works best when combined with topical acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide or retinoids. This combination approach helps attack acne from multiple angles, giving you better results than using any single treatment alone.

How Does Sarecycline Work?

Sarecycline works by targeting the bacteria that contribute to acne breakouts, specifically a type called Propionibacterium acnes. These bacteria naturally live on your skin, but when they multiply too quickly, they can cause inflammation and infection in your pores.

The medication stops these bacteria from making proteins they need to survive and reproduce. By reducing the bacterial load on your skin, sarecycline helps decrease the inflammation that leads to painful, red acne lesions.

As a narrow-spectrum antibiotic, sarecycline is considered moderately strong but more targeted than broad-spectrum antibiotics. This means it's designed to be effective against acne-causing bacteria while potentially causing fewer disruptions to the beneficial bacteria in your digestive system.

How Should I Take Sarecycline?

Take sarecycline exactly as your doctor prescribes, typically once daily with or without food. The usual starting dose is 60mg once daily, though your doctor may adjust this based on your weight and how you respond to treatment.

You can take sarecycline with food if it causes stomach upset, but this isn't always necessary. Unlike some other tetracycline antibiotics, sarecycline can be taken with dairy products without significantly affecting absorption.

Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water. Don't crush, chew, or open the capsule, as this can affect how the medication works. Try to take it at the same time each day to maintain steady levels in your system.

If you're taking other medications or supplements, space them out from your sarecycline dose. Some products containing iron, calcium, or magnesium can interfere with absorption, so discuss timing with your pharmacist.

How Long Should I Take Sarecycline For?

Most people take sarecycline for 3 to 4 months to see significant improvement in their acne. Your doctor will typically evaluate your progress after about 12 weeks to determine if you should continue treatment.

Some people may need to take sarecycline for up to 6 months or longer, depending on how severe their acne is and how well they respond to treatment. The goal is to use the shortest effective treatment duration to minimize the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Your doctor will work with you to create a plan for gradually discontinuing sarecycline once your acne is under control. This often involves transitioning to maintenance therapy with topical treatments to prevent breakouts from returning.

What Are the Side Effects of Sarecycline?

Most people tolerate sarecycline well, but like all medications, it can cause side effects. The good news is that serious side effects are relatively uncommon, and many people experience no side effects at all.

Here are the most common side effects you might experience while taking sarecycline:

• Nausea or stomach upset
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue or feeling tired
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

These symptoms are usually mild and often improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Taking sarecycline with food can help reduce stomach-related side effects.

Less common but more serious side effects require immediate medical attention. These include severe diarrhea that doesn't stop, signs of liver problems like yellowing of the skin or eyes, or severe headaches with vision changes.

Some people may develop increased sensitivity to sunlight while taking sarecycline. This means you might burn more easily or develop a rash when exposed to sun or UV light. Using sunscreen and protective clothing becomes especially important during treatment.

Rare but serious side effects include severe allergic reactions, which can cause difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or severe skin reactions. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Who Should Not Take Sarecycline?

Sarecycline isn't safe for everyone, and certain groups of people should avoid this medication. Your doctor will carefully review your medical history before prescribing it to ensure it's appropriate for you.

Children under 9 years old should not take sarecycline because tetracycline antibiotics can cause permanent tooth discoloration and affect bone development in young children. This is why the medication is only approved for patients 9 years and older.

Pregnant women should avoid sarecycline, especially during the second and third trimesters, as it can harm the developing baby's teeth and bones. If you're planning to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant, discuss this with your doctor immediately.

Breastfeeding mothers should also avoid sarecycline, as it can pass into breast milk and potentially affect the nursing infant. Your doctor can suggest safer alternatives for treating acne during breastfeeding.

People with severe kidney or liver disease may need dose adjustments or alternative treatments. Your doctor will monitor your kidney and liver function if you have any concerns in these areas.

If you're allergic to tetracycline antibiotics or any components of sarecycline, you'll need to find an alternative acne treatment. Be sure to tell your doctor about any previous allergic reactions to antibiotics.

Sarecycline Brand Names

Sarecycline is available under the brand name Seysara in the United States. This is currently the only brand name version of sarecycline available, as it's a relatively new medication that was approved by the FDA in 2018.

Seysara comes in capsule form in different strengths: 60mg, 100mg, and 150mg. Your doctor will determine the right strength based on your weight and the severity of your acne.

Generic versions of sarecycline are not yet widely available, which means the medication can be more expensive than older tetracycline antibiotics. Check with your insurance provider about coverage and ask your doctor about patient assistance programs if cost is a concern.

Sarecycline Alternatives

If sarecycline isn't right for you, several other oral antibiotics can treat acne effectively. Your doctor might consider these alternatives based on your specific situation and medical history.

Doxycycline is another tetracycline antibiotic commonly used for acne. It's usually taken twice daily and has been used for acne treatment for many years. However, it may cause more stomach upset and sun sensitivity than sarecycline.

Minocycline is also in the tetracycline family and can be effective for acne. It's typically taken twice daily and may cause fewer gastrointestinal side effects than doxycycline, but it carries a small risk of rare but serious side effects.

For people who can't take tetracycline antibiotics, azithromycin or erythromycin might be options. These belong to a different class of antibiotics called macrolides and work differently than tetracyclines.

Non-antibiotic alternatives include spironolactone for women with hormonal acne, or isotretinoin for severe acne that doesn't respond to other treatments. Your dermatologist can help determine which option might work best for your specific type of acne.

Is Sarecycline Better Than Doxycycline?

Sarecycline and doxycycline are both effective tetracycline antibiotics for treating acne, but they have some key differences that might make one more suitable for you than the other.

Sarecycline offers the convenience of once-daily dosing, while doxycycline typically needs to be taken twice daily. This can make sarecycline easier to remember and fit into your daily routine.

Studies suggest that sarecycline may cause fewer gastrointestinal side effects than doxycycline. This means you're less likely to experience stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea with sarecycline.

However, doxycycline has been available longer and costs significantly less than sarecycline. It also has a longer track record of safety and effectiveness, with decades of use in treating acne.

Both medications can increase sun sensitivity, though this effect may be slightly less pronounced with sarecycline. The choice between them often comes down to factors like cost, convenience, and how well you tolerate each medication.